Westport Schools' extended-day program opens today

to an end. Today is the first day for the community school district’s extended program.

Jeffrey D. WagnerCorrespondent

WESTPORT — The Citizens for Citizens extended day program has officially come to an end. Today is the first day for the community school district’s extended program.

Today’s start closes the books on a 16-year relationship that the school district has had with CFC’s extended day program.

Superintendent Ann Marie Dargon said there are 73 students for both before- and after-school care.

Earlier this year, the School Committee voted to initiate its own program to replace CFC. Some committee members concluded that the district’s own program could generate revenue and allow for more community partnerships.

But the decision drew protests at the next selectmen’s meeting from CFC parents and staff who claimed CFC could offer more staffing and supplies.

CFC Executive Director David Biltcliffe said CFC would even be willing to pay rent in order to retain its partnership with the town.

However, negotiations stalled and Dargon said it would have taken a reversed decision at the last meeting held on Aug. 27 to keep a dual program — something that Biltcliffe and school authorities have mulled.

“We did investigate the option of a blended program, but because of our license staffing and other issues, it is not a viable optoon,” Biltcliffe said earlier this past month about the issue

Biltcliffe also said he attended some work sessions with school officials and both sides had little interest in the dual program. He indicated that “different standards” might be emphasized by both sides.

The school district also has a director in place for the program. Earlier this summer, it appointed Donna Lamontagne, who has been in the early educational field as a family child care provider for almost 16 years and as a full-time substitute in the school system.